"Uptown Funk" is a song by British-American DJ and record producerMark Ronson featuring American singerBruno Mars. It was released on 10 November 2014, as the lead single from Ronson's fourth studio album,Uptown Special (2015). "Uptown Funk" was written by Ronson, Mars,Jeff Bhasker, andPhilip Lawrence; it was produced by the aforementioned first three. The song began during a freestyle studio session while they worked on a jam Mars and his band had been playing on tour.Copyright controversies arose after the song's release resulting in multiple lawsuits and amendments to its songwriting credits.
The song is afunk-pop,soul,boogie,disco-pop, andMinneapolis sound track. It has a spirit akin to the 1980s-era funk music. Its lyrics address fashion, self-love and "traditional masculine bravado", performed in asing-rapping style filled with metaphors, arrogance, charisma, and fun. Upon its release, the single received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the instrumental, style and influences of the track. Others criticized it for not being innovative as it tried to emulate 1980s funk music.
The song topped the charts of 19 countries and reached the top 10 of 15 others, making it the most successful single of Ronson and Mars to date. In the United States, "Uptown Funk" topped theBillboard Hot 100 for 14 consecutive weeks and spent seven weeks on the top of theUK Singles Chart. It was certified 11 times platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and six times platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry (BPI). "Uptown Funk" peaked at number one on theCanadian Hot 100, and topped theIrish Singles Chart, taking theChristmas number one spot. The song also reached the top spot in France, spending 11 weeks in the number one position. number one in both Australia for a total of six weeks and in New Zealand for nine consecutive weeks. It also broke its own streaming record three times in the United Kingdom, while breaking the streaming record in the United States and Worldwide at that time.
Mark Ronson(pictured) is the lead artist and one of the composers of "Uptown Funk"
After producing three songs forBruno Mars's second studio albumUnorthodox Jukebox (2012),Mark Ronson said in June 2014, that he and Mars planned on working together again.[1][2] Ronson ended up working on "Uptown Funk" for seven months, recording it in various locations, in a number of grueling, stressful sessions.[3][4] Its earliest version was a jam that Mars and his band played on tour.[4][5] When Ronson joinedJeff Bhasker and Mars for a jam session at the latter's studio, he wanted to finish leftover demos fromUnorthodox Jukebox, however, Mars wanted to do something different. He started playing on a drum kit in the studio, while Bhasker and Ronson played keyboard and guitar, respectively. They decided to work on the tour jam and thought it would be "cool" to fit in theTrinidad James song, "All Gold Everything", played during the tour's soundcheck. At this point, they found the opening line: "This hit, that ice cold/Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold", which led them to believe they had an "exciting idea". However, both Ronson and Mars had busy schedules and could not complete the single. They spent the next several months working on it,[3][4][5] fighting over which sections would fit better. Mars was not a fan of early versions of the song.[6]
The trio recorded the song in Los Angeles, London, Memphis, New York, Toronto, and Vancouver.[3][5][7] The horn parts were recorded atDaptone Records in Brooklyn with the horn sections ofThe Dap-Kings,Antibalas and The Hooligans playing the final version of the track.[4][5][7] The drum section was first recorded at a studio owned by Mars in Los Angeles, and later rearranged in Memphis. The track took over 100 takes before it was finished at Ronson's studio in London.[8] There were a number of drastic changes made to the track.[4] One iteration featured ahard rock breakdown in the middle and a chorus in which Mars shouted, "Burn this motherfucker down!" At one point, the song was nearly scrapped entirely. They spent months working on a chorus, only to decide not to use it.[9] Ronson affirmed the compositions of American bandKool & the Gang influenced them to only use a "horn line" as the chorus.[10] After a show on theMoonshine Jungle Tour (2013–14), American songwriterPhilip Lawrence suggested using an opening bassline; however, as he did not play bass himself, Canadian recording engineerCharles Moniz asked him to sing it. The "doh" vocal bassline ended up on the album. Some of the most progressive parts of the track were done in improvised studios set up by Moniz.[11]
The stress over "Uptown Funk" was so high that Ronson passed out during one session trying to perfect the guitar part. Two days later in Toronto they figured out the guitar part when Ronson was playing it in front of The Hooligans after 82 takes.[3][5][8] Ronson explained on NPR'sFresh Air why he was so determined to make the song perfect: "When you're doing something that doesn't sound like anything else on the radio at the time, you almost need to like, iron-clad it, to make sure it gets through. You have to put these hooks in it. You've got to make sure you've got all that ear candy in it to get it through the gate."[3] The record label was hesitant to release the song under the title "Uptown Funk" suggesting the alternative "Just Watch".[12] In October 2014, Mike Mullaney, an assistant program director atCBS Radio/WBMX, listened to the song after it was sent for testing and called it "the greatest song of all time" in a tweet. He added, "The Ronson/Bruno tune is likeJamesBrown/RickJames/TheTime jamming w/ badassbrass band", describing it as "Filthy, funky" and added, "Bruno simply wails".[13] Ronson feels that the song belongs more to Mars than himself.[14]
"Uptown Funk" was initially written by Ronson, Mars, Lawrence, and Bhasker. Since the song embodies some of "All Gold Everything" (2012),Trinidad James and Devon Gallaspy were credited as a songwriters. In May 2015, the track was re-registered as it also contains portions ofThe Gap Band's "Oops Up Side Your Head" (1979). Additional writing credit was given toCharlie Wilson, Robert Wilson, Ronnie Wilson, Rudy Taylor, andLonnie Simmons.[15] The single was produced by Ronson, Bhasker, and Mars. Ronson was in charge of the guitars,LinnDrum and programming, while the keyboards and talk box were handled by Bhasker. Mars sang the vocals and played drums. Ronson and several others engineered the song. The track was recorded at six studios.Serban Ghenea andJohn Hanes, who served as the mix engineer, mixed "Uptown Funk" at MixStar Studios in Virginia Beach. It was mastered byTom Coyne at Sterling Sound, NYC.[7]
On 30 October 2014, Ronson announced, via Twitter, the release of "Uptown Funk". The date 10 November 2014 appeared on the poster image Ronson included in the tweet.[16]Columbia Records andSony Music Entertainment released the single on 10 November 2014 fordigital download in various countries.[17][18][19]RCA Records sent the track to be added to UScontemporary hit radio the following day, while Sony issued the track forradio airplay in Italy on 14 November 2014.[20][21] In the United Kingdom, "Uptown Funk" was released before its scheduled date, 11 January 2015, because it had been performed earlier onThe X Factor as a cover byFleur East.[22][23][24] On 8 December 2014 the song released on the UK via digital download and radio stations began adding the track to their playlists.[25][26] On 9 January 2015, a CD Single was released in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. It included the album version of "Uptown Funk" and Ronson's "Feel Right" featuringMystikal.[27] On 16 and 24 February 2015, the recording and one of its remixes, the BB Disco Dub Mix byBenji B, were released on vinyl in the UK and the US.[28][29] An EP of four different remixes of the original version of the song was released via digital download on 13 April 2015.[30] On 29 June 2015, a remix featuringTrinidad James was made available for purchase on iTunes.[31] On 18 July 2018, the radio edition of the track was available for sale.[32]
Jamieson Cox ofTime, Chris Molanphy ofSlate and Stuart Berman ofPitchfork found the song heavily influenced by 1980s funk.[42][45][46] Neil McCormick writing forThe Telegraph called it an "evocation of the kind of Eighties funk that was already ripe with nostalgia".[44] Robbie Daw ofIdolator found the single closer to the "70's groove", filling "the hearts of Stax- andJames Brown music fans".[47] Likewise,Rap-Up dubbed it a "70's jam", a mash-up of "the best of Morris Day & The Time, James Brown, andThe Jackson 5".[39]AXS's Lucas Villa compared the funk sound of the recording toGeorge Clinton's "Atomic Dog" (1982).[48] Andy Kellman'sAllMusic said the recording "aimed for early Time", but it sounded more likeOne Way's "Let's Talk"(1985).[49] Annie Galvin ofSlant Magazine found Mars "channelingLittle Richard's raspier inflections."[50] Critics noticed the influence of Cameo on the horns, Morris Day & The Time on the keyboards, and "Party Train" (1983) by The Gap Band on the drums.[40] The song is performed in a more arrogant and charismatic way than previous tracks by Mars.[46][51] The lyrics have "well-placed references to Michelle Pfeiffer andTrinidad James", as the hook samples portions of James's "All Gold Everything" (2012).[40][51] Mars shows not only "soul and swagger" in thesing-rapping verses, "I'm too hot / Call the police and the fireman", but he also jokes around, "Got Chucks on / With Saint Laurent / Gotta kiss myself / I'm so pretty".[42][48][52] The lyrics make fun of "traditional masculine bravado" using "silly metaphors", "I'm too hot, hot damn / Make a dragon wanna retire man".[50]
"Uptown Funk" received positive reviews from mostmusic critics. Nick Murray ofRolling Stone gave the song a rating of four out of five stars, praising the "George Kranz scatting andNile Rodgers guitar riff." He noted that Mars, Ronson and The Hooligans "channel the days when brags weren't humble and disco wasn't retro."[53]Spin's Brennan Carley noticed the resemblance between Mars's sing-rapping style andNelly's vocals. He praised the former's voice for keeping things "light and bubbly". Carley compared the bass line to something thatPrince would use. He felt "Uptown Funk" would be all over the radio in a short time.[52] Danielle Janota writing forConsequence of Sound praised the single calling it the "crown jewel" of the album.[54] Lucas Villa ofAXS dubbed Ronson's latest approach to Funk "his freakiest, freshest and most fun release yet".[48]Kirsten Maree ofRenowned for Sound called the song "a joyous, bass-slapping little ditty that joins the likes ofOlly Murs'Wrapped Up andPharrell Williams'Gust Of Wind in a trend of soul clad 70's throwbacks. The vocal dum-dum bass line, meets the scratchy melody of the electric guitar right off the bat, sending us hurling back in time and ready to dance."[55]PopMatters's Matt James called the track a "deftly daft, delirious and incessant, booty-shaking blast of brass 'n' bravado", finding it a standout on the album.[41] John Parker fromDrowned in Sound called the recording "inescapable, a bona fide modern day mega hit".[56] Neil McCormick fromThe Telegraph enjoyed the track because he "liked all the records it was built out of, by James Brown, Earth Wind & Fire and The Gap Band".[44]Stereogum's Tom Breihan wrote, "It's the best American #1 we've had in more than a year, easily, and maybe much more". However, he noticed it copied the work of Morris Day & The Time and "takes these old sounds, but it presents them with energy and inventiveness and charm and balls".[43] Robbie Daw of Idolator called the single "a straight-up ass-kicker" and not a "half-hearted stab" at recreating the "70's groove". He also praised the song's lyrics like "Michelle Pfeiffer, that white gold" and "gotta kiss myself, so pretty".[47]
Jim Farber of theNew York Daily News said the recording "isn't even a song", adding "[i]t's a vamp, a rush of 'hit me' rhythms of the style patented by James Brown". Farber added that the vocals have "zip", but they "lack soul, not to mention an ounce of individuality". He called "Uptown Funk" the only "lazy track" on the album.[57]
The song made the cut on several lists of best songs. In June 2015,Spin compiled a list of The 63 Best Songs of 2015 So Far with "Uptown Funk" at number 51. Andrew Unterberger wrote, the song enters "the canon of "September", "Celebration", and "I Gotta Feeling", jams to be played at every wedding from now until the end of time".[58]Stereogum called it the best pop song of 2015: "ChannelingMorris Day by way ofTrinidad James, Mars and Mark Ronson crafted the year's most universal hit, one that will live on for decades at all kinds of jubilant public gatherings. It flaunts its sexiness and owns its freakiness. It's so hot that it probably sent several dozen dragons into early retirement."[59]Vulture ranked it at number 6 on its "The 10 Best Songs of 2015" list: ""Uptown Funk" will be played at every wedding reception you attend for the rest of your life, and its opening notes will fill you with neither embarrassment nor dread. By the most reliable rubric, then, "Uptown Funk" is a great pop song."[60]MTV placed it on its "Best Songs Of 2015" list: "As the year's most existential pop question goes: "Who was I before 'Uptown Funk'?" Really, can any of us actually remember a time this ubiquitous, certifiably catchy song wasn't part of our lives? Even if Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars didn't roll up to the VMAs in hair curlers, they still took home Best Male Video—and everyone with a pulse knows why. "Uptown Funk" is not just a song. "Uptown Funk" is lightning in a bottle. That white gold."[61] On the list of the 101 best songs of 2015 compiled bySpin, Dan Weiss ranked the song at number 87 saying it emulates "Morris Day-esque funk ditty" and each one of us contributed to its success.[62]Rolling Stone ranked "Uptown Funk" at number 25 on its 100 Greatest Songs of the Century – So Far in 2018. The magazine's writers described it as a "perfect Eighties funk-pop nostalgia bomb", praising the singer's "sparkling showmanship", and dubbing it "one of a kind".[33]The Village Voice's annual year-endPazz & Jop critics' poll selected it as the 23rd best song of 2014, tied withMeghan Trainor's "All About That Bass". The same critics selected "Uptown Funk" as the eighth best track of 2015.[63] NPR included it on their list of favorite songs Of 2015. Stephen Thompson wrote, "If you're going to hear a song on the radio 15,000 times in a single summer, it might as well be this one".[64] On 26 January 2015, the song was voted number six on radio stationTriple J'sHottest 100 of 2014.[65]Billboard included it on "The 50 Best Song Interpolations of the 21st Century" as it uses "All Gold Everything" (2012) byTrinidad James. Christine Werthman wrote that Mars "turned it into a jubilant call to shout from the rooftops and kick off a dance-funk break".[66]
"Uptown Funk" was the subject of several lawsuits over copyright infringement. In 2015, similarities with "Oops Up Side Your Head" (1979) bythe Gap Band led them, along with keyboardist Rudolph Taylor, and producerLonnie Simmons to be added as co-writers of "Uptown Funk" receiving 17% of the publishing royalties.[15][88] In the same year, Serbian artistViktorija argued that "Uptown Funk" infringed on her track "Ulice mračne nisu za devojke". She decided not to sue Mars and Ronson.[89] In 2016, electro-funk bandCollage sued Ronson and Mars for copying their single, "Young Girls" (1983), whilethe Sequence, a rap group, claimed it infringed their single "Funk You Up" (1979) and sued a year later.[90][91] In 2017, Lastrada Entertainment filed a lawsuit citing similarities with "More Bounce to the Ounce" (1980) byZapp.[92] In 2018, the Collage and Zapp lawsuits were dropped, with no word if there was a financial settlement.[93][94] In early 2023,Billboard reported thatThe Sequence's lawsuit was dropped.[95]
The track drew comparisons with the theme tune ofThe Really Wild Show,[96] a BBC children's nature program that first aired in 1986. When Ronson was asked if he heard similarities between "Uptown Funk" and the theme tune, he said, "Oh, then the horns, I understand what they're saying, yeah, we owe a little bit ... all equally influenced byQuincy Jones".[97] In 2021, Ronnie and Robert Wilson of the Gap Band filed another lawsuit due to the similarities between "Uptown Funk" and "Oops Up Side Your Head" as Ronnie Wilson and Robert Wilson's heirs "have yet to receive any publishing rights income".[98] In 2023, Linda Wilson and the heirs of Robert Wilson filled another lawsuit against BMG as they "refused and failed to provide either the funds due to plaintiffs or an accounting".[95]
The single debuted at number 65 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart on 21 November 2014 due to digital sales, making it Ronson's first entry on theBillboard Hot 100.[99] Assisted by the release of the official video and a performance onSaturday Night Live, it subsequently sold 110,000 digital copies. The song became theBillboard Hot 100's top Digital Gainer of the week and peaked at number 18 on 28 November 2014.[100] In its third week, the track rose to number eight on theBillboard Hot 100, after the video's first full tracking week. It became Ronson's first top 10 as an artist. It debuted on the component charts ofStreaming Songs andRadio Songs.[101] On the week of 10 December 2014, "Uptown Funk" ascended to number five, with sales of 152,000 copies. It marked the eleventh top five on theBillboard Hot 100 for Mars.[102] In its fourth week, the single peaked at number three on theBillboard Hot 100, selling 170,000 copies and achieving a 49 million airplay audience, thus receiving Airplay Gainer honors.[103] The following week afterThe Voice performance, the recording stayed at number three for the second consecutive week. It was the biggest gainer in Digital Songs (244,000), Streaming (7.9 million), Airplay Audience (63 million), becoming the fifth song to top all three "categories". Ronson became the second lead male artist to top Digital Songs with a debut single, sinceSam Smith's "Stay with Me" (2014).[104] On 31 December 2014, the track rose to number two on theBillboard Hot 100 with 432,000 copies sold, 8.8 million streams and reached the top ten onRadio Songs with a 68 million audience.[105] In its seventh week, "Uptown Funk" topped theBillboard Hot 100, with 382,000 downloads sold, 10 million U.S. streams and a 76 million airplay audience. The song is Ronson's only number-one single in the country and Mars's sixth.[106] It became one of the longest running number-one singles on theBillboard Hot 100 and the third longest-running number-one single of the 2010s decade topping the chart for 14 consecutive weeks until it was replaced byWiz Khalifa's "See You Again" featuringCharlie Puth.[107][108][109] It topped theBillboard Hot 100-year-end chart and the Decade EndBillboard Hot 100.[110][111]
In its thirteenth week at number one, "Uptown Funk" became the first song to top theBillboard Hot 100 and its three main component charts for nine non-consecutive weeks.[112] The recording spent 31 weeks in the top ten of theBillboard Hot 100 and 21 weeks on the top three of the aforementioned chart, a record previously held bySantana featuringRob Thomas's "Smooth" (1999), with 19 weeks.[113][114] After spending 25 weeks on theBillboard Hot 100's top five, it matched the record set byLeAnn Rimes' "How Do I Live" (1997). This record was broken byThe Chainsmokers "Closer" (2016) featuringHalsey which spent 26 weeks on theBillboard Hot 100's top five.[115] "Uptown Funk" sold at least 300,000 copies for eight consecutive weeks. Only "Blurred Lines" (2013) byRobin Thicke featuringPharrell Williams andT.I. surpassed it by selling the same number ten weeks in a row.[116] "Uptown Funk" tied the record for most weeks spent at the top of the Digital Song Sales chart (13 weeks) withFlo Rida's "Low" (2007) featuringT-Pain. This record was broken two years after byLuis Fonsi andDaddy Yankee's "Despacito" featuringJustin Bieber, with 17 weeks.[117] The recording reached its highest peak on Streaming Songs with 24.5 million streams and 5.7 million on subscription-services in one week.[118] "Uptown Funk" spent 12 weeks on the top position ofStreaming Songs, it was the second best run at the time, only surpassed by the thirteen weeks ofIggy Azalea featuringCharli XCX's "Fancy" (2014).[119] It spent 12 weeks at number one on the Radio Songs chart, reaching a peak of 181 million in all-format audience.[107][116] It was Ronson's first single to reach number one in the radio songs charts and the sixth for Mars.[120] "Uptown Funk" topped several component charts in the United States, such asAdult Pop Songs,Dance Club Songs,Dance/Mix Show Airplay,Pop Songs andRhythmic Songs.[121][122][123] It topped the year-end chart Mainstream Top 40.[124] In the United States, the single sold 7.8 million downloads as of 28 September 2017.[125] It was certified eleven times platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on 18 October 2016, for track-equivalent sales of 11 million units.[126]
On 29 November 2014, "Uptown Funk" debuted at number 63 on theCanadian Hot 100.[127] The following week it reached the top ten, in the third week entered the top five[128][129] peaking at number two in the fourth week.[130] On the issue date of 10 January 2015, the song reached number one, a position it held for fifteen consecutive weeks. It became the second longest-running number-one single on theCanadian Hot 100, behindThe Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" (2009), which spent sixteen weeks at number one.[131][132] On the issue date of 25 April 2015, the song was replaced by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth's "See You Again" (2015).[133] It was certified diamond byMusic Canada (MC) for track-equivalent sales of 800,000 units.[134] It was the top song on the year-end chart in Canada.[135] In the United Kingdom, "Uptown Funk" was covered byFleur East onThe X Factor before its official release date, the cover reached number one on iTunes. This led the original version being released five weeks earlier than originally planned.[136] Nevertheless it debuted at number one on theUK Singles Chart on 14 December 2014, giving Ronson his first UK number one as a producer and artist and also giving Mars his fifth UK number one.[137][138] The following week, the song was replaced in the top spot by theX Factor winnerBen Haenow's single, "Something I Need" (2014), making it theChristmas number one.[139] It then returned to number one for a further six consecutive weeks spending seven non-consecutive weeks at number one, before being replaced from the top byEllie Goulding's "Love Me Like You Do" (2015).[140]
It reached the top spot in France in its sixth week, spending 11 weeks in the number one position. It charted for a total of 117 weeks, never leaving it from 2014 to 2017.[150] It was certified diamond by theSyndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for sales of 250,000 copies.[151] "Uptown Funk" reached number one on both Belgium charts,Ultratop 50 Wallonia and Flanders, spending six and three weeks on the top of the respective charts.[152][153] The song was certified three times platinum by theBelgian Entertainment Association (BEA), for sales of 90,000 copies.[154] In Italy, the song was certified five times platinum, for track-equivalent sales of 250,000 units, despite only peaking at number three on theFIMI Singles Chart.[155][156] The single debuted at number 11 in Australia on 30 November 2014, jumping to number two the following week. In its third week, it topped the charts, where it stayed for a total of six weeks.[157] It is thebest-selling single in Australia of all time and has been certified 22 times platinum for track-equivalent sales of 1,540,000.[158] The single made the Australian year-end charts in 2014, 2015 and 2016, peaking at number one in 2015.[159][160][161] In New Zealand, the song debuted in the top ten, at number seven. In its fourth week on the chart, it peaked at number one, staying there for nine consecutive weeks.[162] The track not only topped the year-end chart, but it was certified nine times platinum byRecorded Music NZ (RMNZ).[163][164] "Uptown Funk" set a record, achieved by four other songs, as it topped theBillboard Hot 100 and the Official UK Singles chart for at least seven weeks each.[165] The song is reported to earn $100,000 for the label and composers per week streaming onSpotify alone.[166] It had sold over twenty million equivalent units as of 2015.[167]
The success of "Uptown Funk" made it a worldwide phenomenon with a major impact onpop culture.[23][14] At one point, the song broke its own streaming record three times in the United Kingdom, with 2.34, 2.49 and 2.56 million streams.[56][168][169] It also broke the record for most streamed track in the United States and worldwide in one week, with 4.8 and 15 million streams, respectively.[170][171] Tom Breihan writing forStereogum felt the recording had "transcend[ed] hit status" and become "omnipresent". It is "some sort of cultural event", that will be heard at weddings in the next couple of years.[43] Danielle Janota ofConsequence of Sound believed the single had a cultural impact. It is "more than infectious: It's instinctual", as everyone "stampedes furiously to the closest dance floor the second it comes on".[54] Matt James ofPopMatters said the recording "incite[s] mass euphoric dancing wherever it is unleashed". It also demonstrates its "global domination", seeming to be "the only song on planet earth right now".[41]
In an interview withTime, Mark Ronson said the recording was being played in Morocco, Puerto Rico and Nigeria, countries his music had never reached before. He also confessed the track led to people starting to recognise him.[172]Newsweek's Jed Gottlieb explained the reason "Uptown Funk" is an immortal track is because "the song is an increasingly rare phenomenon", since dancing allows us to connect "divergent demographics". "[T]he song creates an ephemeral flash where disparate groups get along because they've been spiked with the same euphoria". He believed "for the next quarter-century, it will persist as a choice wedding spin."[173]NME's Barry Nicolson dubbed the single "an insta-phenomenon".[22] Jeremy Allen ofBBC said that "the biggest hits of the past few years", such as Ronson's "Uptown Funk" andDaft Punk's "Get Lucky" (2013) drew inspiration from the 80s funk/soul works by Prince, Michael Jackson, Nile Rodgers and others, leading the "80s to dominates modern culture".[174] Nevertheless, when Angus Harrison ofVice asked musicologist Dr. John Burgoyne if it would be remembered in twenty years he explained that despite "the melody being sung, the hook is not" and he is unsure if it will be remembered as "the hook is that trumpet drop, whereas the words "Uptown Funk" just sort of disappear."[175]
In November 2019,Consequence of Sound compiled a list of the "Top 100 Songs of the 2010s" with "Uptown Funk" at number 77. Ali Szubiak wrote, the song became "so embedded in our cultural core that it proved inescapable". Szubiak added, "not since "Uptown Funk" has the world felt so united."[176] A month later,Rolling Stone also compiled a list of the "Top 100 Songs of the 2010s" with "Uptown Funk" at number 66. Jon Dolan affirmed the song "kick-starting a 2010s funk revival that Mars himself and Lizzo would blow wide open".[177] The staff fromNME dubbed "Uptown Funk" as one of The 100 Best Songs of the 2010s, ranking at number 56, Rhian Daly classified it as "a gigantic, joy-giving earworm".[178] On the same month, Jay Cridlin writing forTampa Bay Times compiled a list of the 50 "The best pop songs of the 2010s", placing "Uptown Funk" at the top of it. Cridlin felt the track "it is timeless, and somehow, it still sounds fresh."[179] Nerisha Penrose fromElle dubbed the track as one of the 52 Best Songs That Defined the 2010s, ranking at number 25, saying it "had the whole world smiling and dancing for weeks."[180]Stereogum compiled a list of The 200 Best Songs Of The 2010s, ranking "Uptown Funk" at number 19, Margaret Farrell affirmed the record "was a monstrously successful, inescapable single, the soundtrack for 2014 and well into 2015."[181] According toBillboard, the single was one of the "Songs That Defined the Decade". Taylor Weatherby described it as "Four and a half minutes of pure fun, with hooks galore and memorable lines".[182] In 2021,Rolling Stone placed "Uptown Funk" at number 417 on their "Top 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".[183] In 2022,Billboard's staff ranked the "500 Best Pop Songs", placing the single at number 76. Danielle Pascual wrote "fusing a rhythmic vocal base line ("doh doh doh"), a blaring horn section, a Trinidad James lift and Bruno Mars' soulful tone to create a brilliant and unpredictable moderndisco-pop song".[184]
In late 2024,Billboard's Kyle Denis affirmed that "Uptown Funk" "is the kind of genuine cultural phenomenon and musical juggernaut that feels damn near impossible in this age of hyper-fragmented social media silos. From Mars' annoyingly charming vocal performance to an irresistible brass breakdown, 'Uptown Funk' was simply inescapable. Mars's presence on the track was so outsized that many forget it's not even his song."[185]
The music video was filmed at the 20th Century Fox Studios' "New York Street" backlot in Los Angeles.[186] Mars andCameron Duddy directed the video released on 17 November 2014.[187] In it, Ronson and Mars are wearing clothing from the late 1970s and 1980s.[187][188] Mars wears a "salmon-coloredblazer" and both put on sun glasses.[189] Throughout most of the video, Ronson, Mars and The Hooligans are singing, walking and dancing in the middle of the streets. Ronson is seen mostly lingering in the background, while Mars takes the spotlight.[187][188][189] At one point, during the video, Ronson and Mars get their hair put inperm curlers at a hair salon and their shoes shined.[187][188][189] As Mars sings "Fill my cup, put some liquor in it", one of his bandmates does so. The singer also yells at his chauffeur to get the limousine as he, Ronson and the band "jive" next to it.[187][190] Towards the end of the video, Ronson, Mars, The Hooligans and Jeff Bhasker perform the song in a closed set to several people.[191]
Joe Lynch ofBillboard praised the video, finding it to be as "ebullient" as the song, calling Ronson and Mars "impossibly cool".[189]Rap-Up praised the dance moves performed by Mars and The Hooligans.[188] Tom Breihan ofStereogum said, "I had no idea [Mars] had "ersatzMorris Day" in his arsenal."[190] Ryan Reed fromRolling Stone called the video "goofy".[187] The clip made the cut on several lists of best music videos of the year.Lyndsey Parker, also writing inRolling Stone felt Ronson and Mars complementMorris Day and The Time's "funky-fresh-to-death tradition well", ranking it number six on the list of 20 videos.[192] On its list of the 20 Best Music Videos of 2014 compiled byPaste, Dacey Orr ranked the video at number 11 saying it "has all of the fun and embellishment and color and choreography to be a real classic".[193] On theStereogum 40 Best Music Videos of 2014, Breihan placed it at number 25. He wrote, "imagine a world in which circa-1986Jonathan Demme had directed a movie about Morris Day & The Time".[194] Harriet Gibsone writing forThe Guardian found the video has "super-slick,Jackson-like group choreography, glossy production and retro styling".[23] On theStereogum 20 Best Music Videos of 2010s, Breihan placed the music video at number four.[195]
"Uptown Funk" was first performed live by Ronson and Mars onSaturday Night Live on 22 November 2014.[200] Mars wore shades and a salmon-colored blazer.[201] Their performance was well received by critics. Colin Joyce ofSpin magazine praised Ronson's "electric guitar performance" describing it as something "that Prince ... could have been proud of". Joyce also commended the effortless singing and rapping skills of Mars.[202] TheVillage Voice's Hillary Hugues praised the vocals by Mars, dance moves and the "taut line between cheeky confidence and charm".[203] Iyana Robertson ofVibe complimented the "groove" of the song, as well as, the reenactment of "the retro swag" music video.[204] The track was also performed live during the North American version ofThe Voice final on 16 December 2014. During the show, Mars and his band, The Hooligans, performed a rehearsed choreography, while the singer wore gold rollers in his hair.[205] Critics found the use of rollers by Mars in his hair hilarious.[206][207]
Ronson and Mars performed "Uptown Funk" live onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show on 13 January 2015. The performance began with Ronson demonstrating some of his DJ skills by scratching and doing hypeman work. Then Mars, dressed in a red blazer, snap back and black shades, and some of his band-mates, led the "audience through some choreography", before making their way to the stage, where Ellen also showed "her little two-step".[208][209] Chris DeVille fromStereogum characterised the performance as a "blast", whileNME's Nadia Khomami dubbed it "energetic". In the same vein, Shenequa Golding fromVibe, called the show "dope".[208][209][210] In 2016, this performance earned them a nomination for aDaytime Emmy Award at the43rd Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[211]
AfterColdplay were announced as the lead performers for theSuper Bowl 50 halftime show,Chris Martin asked Mars to join them, but he declined. Martin explained he wanted Mars to perform "Uptown Funk" withBeyoncé. Mars still did not think it was a good idea, but Beyoncé was receptive to the idea.[1] On 7 February 2016, the trio took the stage during the halftime show. Ronson appeared handling DJ duties, while Mars and his dancers performed "Uptown Funk", wearing an all-black Versace outfit with gold chains.[212][213] During the show, Beyoncé, in a Michael Jackson-inspired outfit appeared with a set of backing dancers dressed as Black Panthers. She performed her single "Formation" (2016) in choreography before being challenged by Mars to a dance-off, while singing the track.[213][214][215] At that point Martin joined Beyoncé and Mars singing the song.[213][214] Jon Caramanica ofThe New York Times explained that Beyoncé and Mars brought "soul and funk" to the show, whileThe Guardian's Alex Needham and Caroline Framke ofVox praised Beyonce, but criticised Mars and Coldplay's performance.[213][214][215] DuringThe Late Late Show with James Corden on 13 December 2016, Mars included "Uptown Funk" on the popular segmentCarpool Karaoke.[216] Mars performed the song as the closing act at theApollo Theater alongside the majority of the24K Magic (2016) album for hisCBS prime time special titledBruno Mars: 24K Magic Live at the Apollo, which aired on November 29, 2017.[217] On the24K Magic World Tour (2017–18), Mars performed "Uptown Funk" as the last track of the setlist, sung as an encore.[218] The same happened on the setlist ofBruno Mars Live (2022-2024).[219]
The song has been parodied several times. Scot Pankey, a teacher atA. Maceo Smith New Tech High School in Dallas, gave his students a video project using the track. His students came up with an idea and once Pankey heard it, he wanted to join them. After seeing the video, Mars admitted he cried.[225] Mikey Bolts, who is known for his impressions and parodies, recreated the "Uptown Funk" singing in the voices ofFamily Guy characters. The voices ofPeter Griffin andStewie Griffin are the most prominent on the track.[226] In September 2015, YouTube channel What's The Mashup? used 100 dance scenes from various films synchronizing them to the rhythm of "Uptown Funk".[227] Later the single was mashed up with dance moves of different actors, such asFred Astaire,Ginger Rogers andGene Kelly in films from theGolden Age of Hollywood. The speed which the scenes are shown was unchanged.[228] The YouTube channel known as Baracksdubs created the illusion of PresidentBarack Obama singing "Uptown Funk", using snippets of his speeches.[229]
Ronson recorded a new version of the song with six unknown musicians for YouTube at theAbbey Road Studios. Initially, the group thought they were covering the track for a documentary about Ronson.[230] On 12 February 2015, Ronson premiered the first official remix of "Uptown Funk", a radio-exclusive, during his interview onHot 97. It includes a new intro verse by rapperAction Bronson; the final version includes a verse by rapper Bodega Bamz.[231] The song has been used byLigue 1 clubParis Saint Germain tocelebrate home goals.[232]
* Sales figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. † Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.
^abHoard, Christian; R. Weingarten, Christopher; Dolan, Jon; Leight, Elias; Spanos, Brittany; Exposito, Suzy; Grow, Kory; Grant, Sarah; Vozick-Levinson, Simon; Greene, Andy; Hermes, Will (28 June 2018)."The 100 Greatest Songs of the Century – So Far".Rolling Stone.Archived from the original on 11 May 2019. Retrieved12 May 2019.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 02. týden 2015 in the date selector. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select 51,52. týden 2014 in the date selector. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: insert 201450 into search. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic.Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201451,52 into search. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
^"Gaon's 관찰노트" [Gaon's Observation Notes].Gaon Chart (in Korean). Korea Music Content Industry Association. 12 September 2019.Archived from the original on 28 November 2018. Retrieved12 September 2019.
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